Date | May 2017 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 17M.3.hl.TZ1.28 |
Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
Command term | Suggest | Question number | 28 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
A polarimeter can be used to determine the optical rotation of an optically active substance.
Describe what happens to plane-polarized light when it passes through a solution of an optically active compound.
A mixture of enantiomers shows optical rotation.
Suggest a conclusion you can draw from this data.
Markscheme
plane of polarization is rotated
Award zero if answer refers to plane-polarized light being bent.
[1 mark]
not a racemic mixture
OR
two enantiomers not equimolar
OR
mixture contains optically active impurity
OR
relative proportions of enantiomers in mixture can be determined
[1 mark]